The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 10 The Descent of a Sage: Li Xianmu

In the twenty-fourth year of the Hongwu reign, Yang Jing, the Minister of Justice, was executed by slow slicing in the western market of the capital.

[Avenge your grievances, eliminate enemies, and clear some obstacles for your family's future; earn 100 achievement points]

Li Qi knelt in the ancestral hall of the Li family's villa, listening quietly to the system's voice. Then he lit four incense sticks and placed them in the incense burner.

"Father, mother."

"I have already begun to settle the score with the Li family one by one. You don't need to worry. I will make the rest of them go to their graves."

Now our son has taken up the mantle of family again, and a son of exceptional talent is about to be born in Lin'an. He is a child who can restore the prestige of the Li family. One day, the crimes that have been leveled against you will be redressed.

You can rest in peace now.

After saying this, Li Qi kowtowed deeply again.

Wisps of incense smoke rose from the ancestral hall. Li Qi got up and walked to the threshold, gazing at the brilliant midday light that spilled into the hall, as if the usual gloom had dissipated somewhat.

The wooden door creaked shut, and the old, rustic lock was fastened, plunging the ancestral hall into darkness once more. Li Qi looked around.

The willow trees in the courtyard have sprouted new buds, which are tender green and full of vitality.

There was no human voice.

……

Princess Lin'an's residence was brightly lit and bustling with people.

Li Qi paced anxiously outside. Princess Lin'an was giving birth in the delivery room, and he had no tools to help the pregnant woman deliver the baby, so he could only wait there.

This wait lasts for an hour.

Accompanied by a loud cry, the system's voice also rang in his mind at the right time.

[First direct descendant born, achievement points +100, current achievement points 200.]

Li Qi wiped the sweat from his forehead and headed towards the delivery room. As he walked to the outer room, he saw the midwife carrying the baby out and said with delight, "Congratulations, Your Highness, it's a little prince!"

Li Qi took the baby and looked into those dark eyes, instantly feeling a connection between their souls and blood.

“This is my child.”

"This is my child!"

Li Qi laughed loudly, lifted him high above his head, startling the surrounding crowd who gasped in fear that he would drop the child.

"The first gift I bestowed upon you upon your birth into this world is the appearance of a saint!"

[Use the Earth-Rank item - Half-Saint's Appearance!]

Li Qi didn't hesitate at all!

[Earth Rank, Semi-Saintly Appearance (This child will surely be the one to revive my path): Six-dimensional academic talent increased to over 90, internal affairs and adaptability talent increased to over 80, gaining five major characteristics: precociousness, maturity, righteousness, shrewdness, and influence.]

【成型六维天赋：内政：85；权变：87；军略：72；统率：51；勇武：69；学术：95。】

Talent does not guarantee the future, but it does represent the potential.

A high-ranking item like this is naturally more than just a talent bonus. Besides, this bonus isn't extremely strong; many people in history were born with talents that were greater than this.

What's truly valuable are the five additional features that follow!
[Precocious: Born with intelligence and clear consciousness.]

Mature beyond one's years: mature beyond one's years, steady and dignified.

The Right Path: With a heart as firm as iron, one will never stray from the right path.

Flexibility: clever and quick-witted, not bound by convention.

Infection: A born leader, possessing the demeanor of a sage. It is often said that character determines destiny; how many intelligent people in this world have fallen into abyss because of character flaws?
While the item "Half-Saint Appearance" doesn't significantly boost one's talents, it grants an almost perfect personality.

If the talent bonus can reach a level of over 90, then it is not an Earth-rank item, but a Heaven-rank item—the appearance of a saint!

The child, lifted high by Li Qi, exuded a misty aura. When Li Qi looked into his eyes again, the veil that had obscured the world when he was born suddenly dissipated, revealing eyes as bright as the stars in the sky!
Li Qi even felt that he was expressing closeness to her.

This is a characteristic of precocity!
The child was lifted high, showing no fear, and let out a clear laugh.

The laughter infected everyone around, and they all said, "Young master is truly extraordinary."

The infectious nature of this child makes him naturally lovable.

Li Qi carried the child into the inner room. Princess Lin'an was nestled by the bedside, her once radiant face now pale, but her eyes lit up when she saw Li Qi.

"My lord, please let me see Mu'er."

Even before the child was born, the couple had already chosen a name for him: Li Xianmu.

Mu means respect, solemnity, and beauty.

"Xian" refers to the generational name.

The moment Princess Lin'an took the child, she was captivated by his bright and piercing eyes. "My lord, look how friendly Mu'er is! Her eyes are so beautiful."

Just now, in a state between sleep and wakefulness, I seemed to see a sage dressed in Confucian robes speaking to me.

Li Qi was taken aback, realizing it must be the lingering effect of his semi-saintly appearance. "When you were pregnant, my wife, I dreamt that a sage entered my womb. It seems my child has the appearance of a sage!"

Princess Lin'an was taken aback upon hearing this. In the instant she met Li Qi's gaze, the unspoken understanding between the couple made her understand what Li Qi meant.

Since ancient times, the reputation of a child prodigy has not only required intelligence but also clever promotion.

The stories of Kong Rong sharing pears and Cao Chong weighing an elephant are examples of this kind of phenomenon.

but……

“Although there are unusual phenomena, Mu’er has only just been born. If he is not gifted enough, wouldn’t that be a disservice to him?”

Although Li Qi knew that Li Xianmu couldn't possibly lack natural talent, he still said gently, "Then let's wait a little longer."

As the two were talking, some women from the outer household entered. Zhu Yuanzhang had previously forbidden Li Qi from associating with noble relatives, and Li Qi himself had no interest in associating with those who were destined to die. Now, those entering the mansion were all close relatives, including the Crown Princess Lü and Princess Huaiqing.

……

After stepping out of the house, Li Qi looked up and saw that the princess's residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere.

Li Fang and Li Mao peeked out from behind a pillar in the corridor. Li Qi beckoned them over, and the three of them gazed at the stars and moon in the night sky.

“Your third brother was born extraordinary, but he is still young. After I pass away, you must take good care of him. If things go wrong, listen to his advice. Your third brother is a born saint and is destined to achieve great things in the future. These are my instructions to you, and you must remember them.”

“Father, I understand.”

Li Qi didn't speak again. The brightest moon in the night sky poured down its silvery light, falling on the father and his two sons.

One large and two small, their shadows on the ground were clearly visible.

When people have children, they have something to rely on and something to carry on. At this moment, the vines of hope that sprout from the heart grow wildly.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A nation cannot prosper without the right principles, and a family cannot stand without proper instruction. I have been thinking of my father’s earnest teachings and wish to follow his example in bestowing generational names upon the princes, as well as upon the descendants of the Li family. This serves two purposes: to pass on the family’s traditions and to provide guidance and instruction.

All sons of the Li family, men should be loyal to the country, uphold the righteous path, and take the following generational motto: "To assist in opening the Hall of Heroes, to be loyal and virtuous in illuminating the future, to revere literature and illuminate the destiny, to uphold righteousness and continue the legacy of our ancestors, to be self-disciplined and diligent in serving the king, and to be humble and revitalize our family and country."

Women should be of refined character and virtuous conduct, and be described as follows: "Graceful and virtuous, inheriting fine traditions; chaste and serene, reflecting radiant beauty; pure and elegant, displaying wisdom and elegance; gentle and virtuous, continuing noble traditions; tranquil and serene, like a willow in the moonlight; quick-witted and agile, weaving beautiful garments." — *Li Family Instructions, Chapter One*

(End of this chapter)